Definition: A morganatic marriage is an approved, legally valid marriage between people of differing social rank that prevents titles, privileges, and estates of the royal or noble spouse from being shared by or passed on to the partner of lesser status or rank. Although any children born of the marriage union are considered legitimate, they have no claim on the property, titles, etc. of their royal parent.
Prince Alexander of Hesse and Countess Julia von Hauke
Prince Alexander of Württemberg and Claudine Rhedey
Ludwig Wilhelm, Duke in Bavaria and Henriette Mendel
Louis XIV of France and Madame de Maintenon via a secret marriage
A morganatic marriage is often only contracted by royalty and non-royal individuals. Morganatic marriage was originally a German custom and a way to handle an unconventional union.
German term is unebenbürtig or ehe zur linken hand. The source of the term is from the German morgengabe which means "morning gift." Morning gift refers to an old custom of the husband presenting his wife with a gift the morning after their marriage was consummated. In a morganatic marriage, that was the only gift she would receive.
From the Latin phrase matrimonium ad morganaticam.
Morganatic Marriages in History
Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Sophie Chotek von ChotkowaPrince Alexander of Hesse and Countess Julia von Hauke
Prince Alexander of Württemberg and Claudine Rhedey
Ludwig Wilhelm, Duke in Bavaria and Henriette Mendel
Louis XIV of France and Madame de Maintenon via a secret marriage
Also Known As: Left-handed marriage.
Common Misspellings: Morgantic
